Hydro initiates the Høyanger recycling plant eyeing growing demand for low-carbon aluminium

Delving into the heart of sustainable aluminium production, Hydro unveils an enigmatic project with its latest investment of NOK 240 million in a cutting-edge recycling facility nestled near its primary aluminium plant in Høyanger.

Mayor of Høyanger - Petter Sortland, Executive Vice President of Hydro Energy - Arvid Moss, Plant Manager - Ann Synnøve Øygård and Minister of Finance - Trygve Slagsvold Vedum during the opening ceremony 

This pioneering initiative not only highlights Hydro's commitment to environmental stewardship but also signifies a significant stride towards a greener future in the aluminium industry.

In an era where environmental consciousness soars supreme, Hydro's purpose-built recycling facility emerges as a beacon of hope. Boasting an annual capacity of 36,000 tonnes, this facility heralds a new chapter in Norway's industrial landscape. Here, aluminium scrap from diverse sources undergoes meticulous de-coating before being transformed into ingots. This recycled aluminium, when amalgamated with primary metal generated from renewable hydropower, begets low-carbon casting products, thus facilitating a tangible reduction in embedded emissions across various value chains.

Hydro's journey towards Net Zero

The Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal, Eivind Kallevik, aptly captures the essence of this transformative venture, affirming that "Recycling is the fastest way to zero. With this new facility, we deliver on our strategy to increase recycling capacity in our efforts to decarbonise our own production processes and make products that the world needs for the green transition."

"The outlook for the aluminium market in Europe is promising as we move towards the green transition, but in times of turmoil, customers need stable and predictable partners in their decarbonisation efforts. With this and other long-term investments at our aluminium plants, we are gearing up to change the game for aluminium production and stand ready to deliver low-carbon aluminium in the decades to come," claims Kallevik.

Hydro's aspirations extend far beyond mere rhetoric; the company's vision encompasses a holistic approach towards sustainability. By setting ambitious targets, including a pledge to achieve net-zero aluminium production by 2050 and a 30 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, Hydro highlights its unwavering commitment to environmental integrity. Embracing cutting-edge technologies such as carbon capture and storage, Hydro charts a course towards full decarbonisation, bringing forward a new dawn of innovation and environmental responsibility in the aluminium sector.

If you are interested in learning more about the global aluminium sector, have a glance at AL Circle's special report, Sustainability in the Global Aluminium Sector.